john alston explains from fisherman's wharf in san francisco. >> reporter: the crab pots were on pier 45 in a few hours they will be on the bottom of the pacific off the golden gate. james smith hopes his annual six figure investment will payoff.cñgñ so far smooth sailing after hearing he will get $3 a pound. >> yeah, three bucks, good, proppably the first time i remember we got our -- probably the first time i remember we got our asking price. >> reporter: last year they missed the popular thanksgiving holiday this year's higher rate means consumers will pay $7 to $7.50 pound. >> i'm sure i wouldn't pay more than $7 a pound. i mean, i don't know, unless it had to be something really special. >> yeah, that's good price. we got some of the best crab here. >> reporter: one factor in the higher price is fewer crabs. >> we are expecting to see less crab than last year. crab tend to be cyclical in production it is not unexpected we would be seeing less and less. >> reporter: the big ship with thousands of pots was heading out this is the last season before limits go into effect. >> of co